5 Things You Can Only Do in Delaware County, New York

More and more family travelers seek immersive experiences hyper-specific to a particular destination, and spots like Delaware County in upstate New York promises activities the whole family can both enjoy and experience nowhere else.

Visit Only Fire Tower in the Country to Be Disassembled, Stored and Returned

Known to be just the eighth tower in the entire Catskills Mountain range, Bramley Mountain Tower reopens to the public after a long reconstruction and closing period. This tower is the only in the country to have once stood on a mountaintop, be disassembled and removed, stored for half a century, and then returned to the same spot. Find the tower at the summit of Bramley Mountain Trail, open weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Indigenous People’s Day (Oct. 13).

© Delaware County Tourism Board / Patricia Woznick

Cast Out in Birthplace of American Fly Fishing

Did you know parts of this region (including the waterways of Delaware County) are the birthplace of American fly fishing? This area boasts a wide range of fish like trout and bass, as well as hundreds of miles of world-class rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs. Through mid-October, beginners and experts can enjoy a season of fishing with boat rentals, bait and tackle stores, and fly-fishing lessons available. The county boasts 22 public fishing spots.

Rent Out a Mountain for the Whole Family

Rent out a full mountain at Plattekill Mountain, perfect for family reunions or birthday celebrations. This family-owned mountain promises small-town charm and big mountain terrain, great for those wishing to ski, snowboard and snow tube.

© Delaware County Tourism Board

Catch a Vintage Baseball Game

True baseball fans won’t want to miss a game of vintage baseball, originally spelled as two words, base ball. This game pays homage to the long history of the sport, originally played in the 1800s. Delaware County has three teams, all of which play by a different set of rules from a specific year: Bovina Dairymen, Fleischmanns Mountain Athletic Club and the Delhi Polecats.

Visit Famed “Book Village”

This sleepy and quaint town is home to a variety of shops, galleries, natural landscapes and seven bookstores, lending to its nickname. Every year, the town hosts the Festival of Women Writers, dedicated to celebrating female writers with public readings, workshops and panel discussions. Stay at Book Village Inn, where rooms are named after famous authors like Austen, Dickinson and Hemingway.